Bog Visit and a Hairstreak Holds On

 Today was one of the finer weather days we have had under clear skies and decent temps.  I had the urge to go to the Sifton Bog in London!  It was known by a number of names in the distant past, and more recently the Byron Bog as it was within the village of Byron.

The bog is one of the most southerly acidic bogs in Canada, very unique for our area.  It was a basically a depression left after the last ice age that never drained.

It harbours some rare plants including carnivoris-type plants typcially found in bogs farther north.  Trees include Black Spruce and Tamarack.  As well, some decent insects are found there including the Spatterdock Darner and Bog Copper.

My main goal today was to see the Bog Copper and other insects.  Although I have seen them before, it was time for a refresher!

Right away, I found a Bog Copper. An attractive insect indeed.

There were not many odonates, but perhaps I was a bit early in the day.  Some sedge sprites were just off the viewing platform, but very difficult to try and photograph.

One spreadwing appeared to be an Emerald.

Dragonflies included Twelve-spotted Skimmers, Blue Dashers and Dot-tailed Whitefaces.

I saw no sign of the rare Spatterdock Darner, like in my previous visit a few years ago.

Some plants included the attractive Tuberous Grasspink.

On the pond was the Watershield.

On the way home, I stopped by Wardsville Woods since it was basically not far off the route home.  Hardly any odonates!  Very disappointing.  I did see a couple of smallish clubtails flying around, but they were out of reach and never landed.  I suspect they were Riverine Clubtails!

Yesterday I stopped by Reid Conservation Lands early in the morning not expecting to see much.  Indeed there was not much, but I did see my first hairstreaks of season.  The very first one was a Northern Oak!

Thankfully it stayed long enough to get a decent photograph.  The left side has big chunk out of a key area on the wing, so I only took photos of its right profile!

The species has declined significantly over the years, but hopefully it holds on at Reid.  I only saw one in 2024, and none in 2023.  It was a relief to see this yesterday.

A couple of Banded Hairstreaks were seen as well, but too active to photograph!

Sifting Through A Bog

In recent weeks, I had the urge to visit Sifton Bog in London.  I was even more envious when Quinten Wiegersma checked out the place just last week!  I had only been there on one occasion before, perhaps 25 years ago!  (I would have to look it up in my notes).
Today was the day that seemed right to go.

It was easy to get to following county road 14 from Newbury all the way to London where it blends into Oxford Road.  The bog is on the south side of Oxford, just before Hyde park Road.  I arrived fairly early, so things were a bit slow at first.  I stayed close to two hours and had the place to myself. I left in time, as a mass of seniors (at least 50) invaded the place!

Sifton Bog is a 41.6 Ha acid peat bog right in the city of London, something you would normally see much farther north.  I felt like I was in Algonquin Park.

It was acquired by the Upper thames River Conservation Authority in 1967,  but earlier attempts to preserve the place were started by the well-known London naturalist Dr. W. Judd in the late 1950's.

Plant life here is what you would find farther north with Black Spruce, Tamarack and various vascular plants.

tamarack

Tuberous Grass Pink

Horned Bladderwort

bog Cranberry

I kept track of birds as well.

Cedar Waxwing

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks

Of interest today, I wanted to see Spatterdock Darner.  I do not recall that I have seen this one before, but there were a few patrolling the pond upon my arrival.  At times they came close to the viewing platform for nice views, but it was difficult to get a photo.  One would have to net one!  I took dozens of photos in vain trying to capture one.  I finally nailed one, even though it is flying away.

The yellow pond lilies here are called Spatterdock, which the darner is akin-to.

There were other odes including these:

Blue Dasher

Dot-tailed whiteface

Eastern Forktail

There was also Common Green Darner and meadowhawk sp. (Ruby?).  At one point I thought I saw an emerald, but I do not know if there are any there.

A bullfrog was in front of the viewing stand the whole time.

I did not see much in the way of butterflies, but on the way out, I found an Appalachian Brown.

Of course, Bog Copper is here.

On the way home, I stopped by Wardsville Woods and Skunk's Misery.  Some Great Fangled Spangled Fritillaries were freshly out.

A Twelve-spotted Skimmer was beside the pond.

Through Skunk's, I found the usual birds including several Hooded Warblers, Chestnut-sided, Blue-winged, Ovenbird, Cerulean Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, etc.

There was not much in the way of butterflies, so I hope things pick up for next Sunday on the count.  I think we will be good as long as it is warm and sunny.